Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Stimulated by Strong Metal-Molecule Interactions in a C Single-Molecule Junction.

Specifying the geometric and electronic structures of a metal-molecule interface at the single-molecule level is crucial for the improvement of organic electronics. A single-molecule junction (SMJ) can be used to investigate interfaces because it can be regarded as an elementary unit of the interface structure. Although considerable efforts have been made to this end, the detection of structural changes in SMJs associated with metal-molecule interactions remains challenging.

A novel graphene barrier against moisture by multiple stacking large-grain graphene.

The moisture barrier properties of stacked graphene layers on Cu surfaces were investigated with the goal of improving the moisture barrier efficiency of single-layer graphene (SLG) for Cu metallization. SLG with large grain size were stacked on Cu surfaces coated with CVD-SLG to cover the grain-boundaries and defective areas of the underneath SLG film, which was confirmed to be oxidized by Raman spectroscopy measurements. To evaluate the humidity resistance of the graphene-coated Cu surfaces, temperature humidity storage (THS) testing was conducted under accelerated oxidation conditions (85 °C and 85% relative humidity) for 100 h.

Preparation of new nitrogen-bridged heterocycles. 56. Syntheses and reactions of 1-[2,2-bis(alkylthio)-1-(ethoxycarbonylacetyl)vinyl]pyridinium salts.

The title compounds, readily available from the S-alkylation of pyridinium 1-[alkylthio(thiocarbonyl)](ethoxycarbonylacetyl)methylides with alkyl halides or alkyl bromoacetates, were treated with a base and then a dehydrogenating agent to provide some unique products such as 3-[bis(alkylthio)methylene]-2(3H)-indolizinones and dialkyl 7-methyl-4-oxo-1,4,8,8a-tetrahydro-1,4-thiazino[3,4,5-cd]indolizine-1,5-dicarboxylates. On the other hand, similar reaction of these pyridinium salts in the absence of the dehydrogenating agent afforded alkyl 2-hydroxyindlizine-3-carboxythiolates, whose yields were increased by adding trifluoroacetic acid to the reaction mixture. The structures of some products were confirmed by the X-ray analyses.

The schistosomiasis problem in the Philippines: a review.

A descriptive study was carried on the schistosomiasis problem in the Philippines from the time the disease was discovered in 1906 to the latter part of the 1990 s. Some research findings were reviewed including the nature of the disease itself. Based on the thrust of the control program which is centered mainly on selective mass treatment and progressed to disease stratification and mass treatment using praziquantel, a downward trend in the prevalence of the disease was observed-from an average of 10.

Biological characteristics and control of intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum.

Except for imported cases, we have had no new Schistosoma japonicum infection in Japan since 1977. But there are still two habitats of the intermediate snail host: Oncomelania nosophora in the previous endemic areas of Kofu Basin and Obitsu. O.

Soil factors influencing the distribution of Oncomelania quadrasi, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, on Bohol Island, Philippines.

Soil conditions essential to the survival of Oncomelania quadrasi on Bohol Island in the Philippines were examined to clarify the factors limiting distribution of the snail and to develop a method for breeding large numbers of the snail in the laboratory. Soil samples in and around snail habitats were analysed and used for breeding experiments in the laboratory. Experiments using paddy soil derived from different parent materials revealed that the numbers of juvenile snails hatched varied widely between several soil samples.

Improvement of ultrasonographic and serologic changes in Schistosoma japonicum-infected patients after treatment with praziquantel.

We previously reported ultrasonographic and serologic abnormalities in 102 patients infected with Schistosoma japonicum in Leyte, The Philippines. These patients were subsequently treated with praziquantel (3 x 20 mg/kg), and changes in ultrasonographic images and the serum levels of liver function markers in 52 patients were followed up every three months for a period of 17 months. Improvement in the thickening of the portal vein wall and the intensity of echogenic bands was detected six months after treatment with praziquantel.

Ultrasonographic and serologic abnormalities in Schistosoma japonicum infection in Leyte, the Philippines.

We have identified specific ultrasonographic changes in Schistosoma japonicum-infected patients associated with serologic indicators of general liver function. An ultrasonographic examination concomitant with hematologic and biochemical serum analyses was performed on 102 patients at the Schistosomiasis Hospital in Leyte, The Philippines. The ultrasonographic liver images were classified into four patterns, according to the development of periportal fibrosis and the patterns of echogenic bands.

Serologic and ultrasonographic parameters of praziquantel treatment of hepatic fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum infection.

We describe the parameters useful in evaluating the development of hepatic fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum infection, as well as its improvement after treatment with praziquantel (PZQ). Various serologic parameters and ultrasonographic images were examined, and their changes were monitored using rabbits infected with 200 or 300 cercariae of S. japonicum.

Existence of host-related DNA sequences in the schistosome genome.

DNA sequences homologous to the mouse intracisternal A particle and endogenous type C retrovirus were detected in the DNAs of Schistosoma japonicum adults and S. mansoni eggs. Furthermore, other kinds of repetitive sequences in the host genome such as mouse type 1 Alu sequence (B1), mouse type 2 Alu sequence (B2) and mo-2 sequence, a mouse mini-satellite, were also detected in the DNAs from adults and eggs of S.

Dynamic changes of DNA sequences in Schistosoma mansoni in the course of development.

Deletion and/or amplification of DNA sequences in Schistosoma mansoni were demonstrated by Southern blot analysis. Total cellular DNAs and genomic clones derived from S. mansoni miracidia, adult males and females were used as probes.

Oral itraconazole and topical miconazole with débridement for Acanthamoeba keratitis.

We treated three patients who had Acanthamoeba keratitis with oral itraconazole, a new antifungal agent, topical miconazole, and surgical débridement of the lesion. In these patients, healing and regression of the keratitis began six or seven days after initiation of oral itraconazole and miconazole 0.1% eyedrops (every hour during the day).

Growth and fecundity of Schistosoma japonicum in mice maintained at different environmental temperatures.

On weeks 7 and 9 post infection (PI), the number of Schistosoma japonicum in mice maintained at low (5 degrees C) and high (32 degrees C and 35 degrees C) temperatures did not differ from those in controls (25 degrees C), but shorter males were observed in hosts at 5 degrees C. Further, both male and female worms recovered on week 7 PI from mice kept at 35 degrees C were shorter than those recovered from controls. Staining analysis revealed that worm maturation was not affected in mice kept at 5 degrees C and 32 degrees C.

Schistosoma japonicum: the effect of serum fractions precipitated by ammonium sulfate on viability of schistosomula.

The effect of serum fractions precipitated by a saturated ammonium sulfate solution on viability of Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula was investigated. Axenized cercariae were incubated for 10 days at 37 degrees C in NCTC 109 supplemented with the 34%, 40%, 50%, 62% and 68% fractions of human or rabbit serum in an equivalent concentration to 10% serum. Only larvae cultured in media with the 68% fraction of human or rabbit serum retained the transparent feature and active motility, while the larvae cultured in other media became opaque and immotile.

Ultrastructural observations on damage to schistosomula of Schistosoma japonicum by mouse neutrophils in vitro.

Ultrastructure of schistosomula of Schistosoma japonicum was studied in relation to the effect of mouse neutrophils in vitro. In the presence of antibody and complement, damage to the schistosomular tegument covered with many neutrophils began to appear within 1 h incubation. Exfoliation of the granular cytoplasm of the tegument, disorganization of the muscle layers and vacuolation in the inner tissues were seen in a part of neutrophil-attached parasites by 2 h incubation.

Integration and expression of murine retrovirus-related sequences in schistosomes.

Antibodies against the retrovirus envelope glycoprotein (gp70) of mouse xenotropic retrovirus, BALB virus 2 (Bv2) reacted with the adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni. This reaction was completely inhibited after adsorption of the antibodies with virions of retrovirus.

Schistosomiasis on Bohol Island, Philippines, with special emphasis on the successful discovery of new habitats of the vector snail, Oncomelania quadrasi, and area-wide mollusciciding.

In the endemic area of schistosomiasis on Bohol Island, we succeeded in locating seven new colonies of the vector snail, Oncomelania quadrasi, four in Trinidad and three in Talibon, in addition to six locations from which the snails were previously recorded. We were led by the proximity of the snail habitat to the residence of the infected individuals. In northern Bohol the continuous wet season would appear to make the major differences between the places that do and those that do not support O.

Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni: ultrastructural damage in the tegument and reproductive organs after treatment with levo- and dextro-praziquantel.

Ultrastructural observations were made of changes in the tegument and reproductive organs of Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni from ICR mice after treatment with praziquantel (PZQ), levo-PZQ, and dextro-PZQ at a single oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. No marked difference in types and extent of lesions of the tegument of S.

A comparison of the antischistosomal effect of levo- and dextro-praziquantel on Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni in mice.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is a racemic compound composed of equal proportions of its optical isomers, levo- and dextro-PZQ. The efficacy of these compounds was compared with that of PZQ in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum or S. mansoni.

Degenerative changes in the reproductive organs of female schistosomes during maintenance in vitro.

Degenerative alteration of the reproductive organs of female schistosomes in correlation with the change in egg-laying rate of schistosome pairs in vitro was studied by electron microscopy. The production of normal eggs by adult S. japonicum pairs decreased after 4 days in vitro followed by an increase of abnormal egg laying up to day 8.

The killing effect of subclasses of mouse IgG antibodies on schistosomula of Schistosoma japonicum.

The killing effect of IgG antibodies in sera from S. japonicum infected mice on schistosomula of S. japonicum was studied in vitro in the presence of complement.